Plate-clamp.



0. ROESEN & I. TORNBERG.

" PLATE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-10.1915.

O. RO ESEN & I. TORN B ERG.

PLATE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-10.1915.

Patented July 23, 1918.

-S H E E T 2 2 SHEETS 1 ENTR 1m: name/s PFTERi Ca. PHO70-L/THO.. wAsm/vumu. a, c.

EVJ YORK, N. Y., AESIGNORS TO B). HOE AND A CURPURATION OF NEW-7 YORK.

PLATE-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July %3, I'

Application filed November 10, 1915. Serial No. 60,652.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Oscar: Ronsnn and lemon ToRNBnne, citizens of the United States, residing at New York city, county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plate-Clamps, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in plate clamps.

In clampingplates in printing position, the plates are generally first placed in the approximate position either on the bed or cylinder which they are to occupy and are then clamped in position by plate-clamping devices. If the plate is improperly positioned with relation to the plate-support, or with relation to the other plates, the plates have to be adjusted, and to effect this the clamping devices are moved, either by hammering them to cause them to assume their proper position, or by the use or racks and screws, by means or which the plates may be forced into position. This method of positioning the clamping devices by hammering is obviously objectionable for many reasons. In constructions heretofore employed for positioning the clamps by means of rack and screw constructions, it has been necessary for the rack to extend the whole length of the groove in the plate-support in. which the clamping device works so that the clamp can be moved in any part of the groove. This is an expensive construction, and, furthermore, where the clamp has to be moved. any distance, is slow.

It is a special object oi the present invention to provide a plate clamp which can be readily positioned in approximately plate locking position at any point in the grooves or slots in the plate support, and which, when positioned, can be operated by a suitable tool to adjust the plate in its relation to the support or in its relation to other plates.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a clamp which may be universal in its application, that is, can be used in any sort of a grooved plate support, Whether it be flat, as in a plate bed, or curved, as in a cylinder.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in certain novel features and novel combinations of parts hereinafter l'ully referred to.

F or a complete understanding of the in vention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a cross-sectional view, partly broken away, of the improved clamp, the tool for operating the clamp being shown in operative'position in relation. therewith;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the tool in position;

Flg. 3 is a side elevation of the tool;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the line H of Flg. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of part of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail end view of part of the construction shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a bottom View of part of the construction shown in Fig. 3, showing the drivlng pinion;

Fig. 8 is a plan View, partly broken away, of a plate support, showing a number of the improved clamps in position, the grooves in the support being at right angles to each other and parallel with the sides of the sup port, and

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing a modi lied form oil gearing used where the grooves are diagonal of the support.

Generally, the improved clamping device includes a clamp, a clamp support, and a tool for :nliusting the clamp on the support, and for convenience of descri iition the clamp and clamp-support will be first described.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fi 1 to 6, the improved clamp will include a member or part which is adjustable so that it can be locked in position in any part of the groove in the plate support which may be either a Hat bed or a cylinder, this member acting in effect to an chor and hold the other members of the clamp in the groove, and so that they can b operated to move the clamp into locking 10d relation with the plate. This member, which is hereinafter termed an anchor base, is indicated generally by the numeral 1 The particular configuration of this member may be somewhat varied, but in the particular construct-ion illustrated it will comprise two blocks or cheeks 2, 3 having beveled sides 4, this bevel being provided so as to fit in the slot 5 in the plate support 6, this slot 5 in the particular construction illustrated, being an undercut slot, though it will be understood that the outer sides of the cheeks 4t will'be shaped to conform to the particular kind of slot or groove in the plate support. These blocks, 2, 3 are connected [so that they may be brought in clamping relation with the walls of the groove and firmly locked therein. lVhile the'construction for effecting this may be varied, as illustrated there is provided a screw 7 having a right and left hand thread, this screw being provided wit-h a head 8 having holes 9 in which a pin may be inserted to turn the head. lVith this construction, the parts may be spread apart or drawn together to lock or release the'blocks. If desired, alining pin 10 may be provided for keeping the blocks in alinement.

Cooperating with this anchor base or anchor is a member which may be termed a clamp-carrier, this carrier being anchored to the base so that when the base has been adjusted to position in the slot the carrier will likewise be adjusted, the plate clamp being moved along this carrier by mechanism hereinafter referred to. In devices embodying the invention in its best form, this carrier is so connected wither anchored to the anchor base as to be capable of taking a movement at an angle to the base, so that it canwbe used with either a flat or curved plate support. The particular construction of this clamp carrier may be somewhat varied, but as shown it is in the form of a screw having athreadetl shank 11 and a two-part head 12, 13, the two heads being connected by a web 14. This screw carrier is anchored to the base in'any suitable manner. As illustrated the head 12 of the screw and the web take in a slot 15 formed in one end of the base 1, the screw being prevented from turning in the base by flattening one of the heads, as shown at 16. Various constructions may be employed to allow the carrier to be positioned at any angle to the base, but as shown the surfaces of the heads 12, 13 cont-acting with the base are rounded, as indicated at 16, so that the carrier can take a position at an angle to the base.

The plate-clamp indicated at '17 has a movement on the carrier relatively thereto for positioning the clamp in proper relation to the plate and for adjusting the plate relatively to the bed or to other plates.

This movement will be given the clamp through the use of a separable tool hereinafter referred to, one or more of which is furnished .with each set of clamps and clamping devices. lVhile this movementmay be effected by the tool in various ways, in the particular construction illustrated this movement is effected by means of gearing, whereby a positive and even pressure may be applied to move the clamp. For this purpose these is provided a clamp-moving device which as shown consists of a nut 18 which may be given a traveling movement back and'forth on the threaded shank 11 before referred to. This nut is provided with a flange 19 taking into a groove 20 in the clamp 17, thus causing the clamp to move with the nut. The nut is provided with a gear 21, by the rotation of which the nut is moved and the clamp projected :tlOllg the clamp carrier. hen the gear is turned the clamp mover is advanced or retracted along the shank of the carrier and the plate consequently locked or unlocked from clamping position or moved to adjust the plate. 7 The tool for effecting the rotation of the gear may vary widely in construction. In the particular construction illustrated, however, the tool will comprise a head 22 and an operating handle 23, a miter gear 24: being rotated by the handle 23 and driving a miter gear 25, which in turn drives a gear 26, which rotates a small pinion 27 arranged to mesh with and turn the gear 21 of the clamp mover, these various gears and pinions being suitably mounted in the frame of the head 22.

In constructions embodying the invention in its best form, means will be provided for assisting in positioning the tool in proper relation to the gears. \Vhile these means may be somewhat varied, in the particular construction illustrated the head 22 carries a pin 28 which positions itself in a hole or slot 29 in the plate clamp. Further positioning means may also be employed, if desired, such as a flange 29 (Fig. 7) on the tool which takes into the groove on the plate support. Additional means will also preferably be provided for retaining the tool in position while it is being operated to more the clamp. In the particular cmistrnction illustrated, (see Fig. 2) the head 22 is provided with cars 30 in which are pivoted a pair of latches 31 having engaging jaws 32, these jaws taking under ribs 33 formed in the ends of the clamp. These aws are held in firm engagement with the rim by means of springs 3st, against which the jaws are rocked to release them from the clamp.

The form of gearing employed may be varied, as desired. here, as is shown in Fig. 8, the clamps are to be used in what may be termed straight slots, that is, slots parallel with the sides of the plate support, the gears may be ordinary gears or pinions, as shown. Where, however, the clamps are to be used in slots which are diagonal to the sides of the plate support, the teeth on the gear 21 of the plate movin nut 18, and the gears 27, 25 in the head oi the tool, are preferably cut spiral, as shown at 35 in Fig. 9, although it will be understood that if desired, by slightly altering the shape of the clamp, gears with straight teeth may be employed.

While the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that changes and variations may be made in both the clamping device and in the tool for adjusting it, without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a plate clamping device, the combination with a clamp, of an anchor base and means for adjustably locking it in a groove, a clamp carrier along which the clamp is movable secured to the base so as to swing relatively thereto, and means on the carrier arranged to cooperate with a suitable tool for adjusting the clamp.

2. In. a plate clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for locking the base in a groove, of a screw carrier, connections whereby the screw is anchored to the base so as to swing relatively thereto, a clamp movable along the screw, and means on the screw arranged to cooperate with a suitable tool for adjusting the clamp.

3. In a plate clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in a groove, of a clamp carrying screw anchored to the base and having a swinging movement relatively thereto, a clamp movable along the screw, and a gear nut on the screw for moving the clamp.

1:. In. a clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in a groove, of a screw having heads for securing it to the base, the heads of the screw being rounded to permit the screw to assume positions at an angle to the base, a clamp movable on the screw, means on the screw arranged to cooperate with a suitable tool For moving the clamp.

In a clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in a groove, of a screw having heads for securing it to the base, the heads oi. the screw being rounded. to permit the screw to assume positions at an angle to the base, a clamp movable along the screw, and a gear nut on the screw for moving the clamp.

6. In a plate clamp, the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in a groove, of a clamp carrying member anchored to the base and having a swinging movement relatively thereto, a clamp movable along the clamp carrying member, and means on the clamp arranged to cooperate with a suitable tool for holding the clamp in locking relation therewith.

7. In a plate clamp, the combination with an anchor base and means for locking it in a groove, of a clamp carrying member anchored to the base and having a swinging movement relatively thereto, a clamp movable along the clamp carrying member, and grooves in the ends of the clamp arranged to cooperate with a suitable tool for holding the clamp in locking relation with the tool.

8. In a plate clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for adjustably positioning it, of a clamp carrier, connections for anchoring the carrier to the base so that it may swing relatively thereto, a clamp, and connections for adjusting the clamp on the carrier.

9. In a plate clamping device,.the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in position, of a clamp carrier having heads for securing it to the base, the heads being rounded to permit the carrier to assume positions at an angle to the base, a clamp, and means for adjusting the clamp on the carrier.

10. In a plate clamping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for locking it in position, of a clamp carrier anchored to the base so as to have a swinging movement relatively thereto, a clamp adjustable 011 the carrier, a traveler for adjusting the clamp, and means for moving the traveler.

11. In a plate clamping device, the combination with a pair of blocks spaced apart and means for spreading the blocks to ad justably anchor each of them in a groove, of a threaded clamp carrier anchored to the blocks, a clamp adjustable on the carrier, a traveler for adjusting the clamp, and means for moving the traveler.

12. In a plate clamping device, the combination with a pair of anchor blocks spaced apart and means for adjustably locking them in a groove, oil? a clamp carrier, connections for anchoring the carrier to the blocks so that it may swing relatively thereto, a clamp adjustal'ilc on the carrier, and a traveler for adjusting the clamp.

13. In a plate elan'iping device, the combination with an anchor base and means for looking it in a groove, of a clamp-carry ing screw anchored to the base and having a swinging movement relatively thereto, a clamp movable on the screw and having a recess, and a gear nut on the screw having a projection entering said recess for moving the clamp.

1 L. In a plate clamping device, the combination with a plate support having undercut grooves, of a pair of spaced blocks having beveled sides, an adjusting, screw 10- cated between the blocks for adjusting the blocks fordoeking each of them in position against the sides of the grooves, a threaded clamp carrier anchored to the blocks, and

a clamp adjustable on the carrier.

In testnnony whereof We have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subserlbmg wltnesses.

OSCAR ROESEN. ISI-DOR TORNBERG.

Witnesses RICHARD KELLY, HAROLD M. TILLrNoIIAs'r.

Copies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, 1). 0. 

